Back in December we highlighted a review by Moynihan and Kelly (Dental Elf – 12th Dec 2013) on the relationship between caries and sugars that was commissioned to inform the development of updated WHO recommendations on sugar. Another review of the relationship between sugar and body weight by Te Morenga et al was also undertaken to inform the recommendations which was discussed by the Lifestyle Elf ( 21st Jan 2013) .

The WHO’s current recommendation, from 2002, is that sugars should make up less than 10% of total energy intake per day.

The new draft guideline also proposes that sugars should be less than 10% of total energy intake per day. However, it goes on to suggest that a reduction to below 5% of total energy intake per day would have additional benefits. Five per cent of total energy intake is equivalent to around 25 grams (around 6 teaspoons) of sugar per day for an adult of normal Body Mass Index (BMI).

This was reported by the BBC as “WHO: Daily sugar intake should be halved.”

A good summary is available on the NHS Choices website and comments on the new draft guideline can be made on the WHO website up to the end of March by anyone happy to sign a declaration of interest from